Oak Level Baptist Church

Church News

Sharing the Journey

Greetings and Salutations in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ!

Well, we’re into another fall. As you all know, for me this means a lot of time in the deer blind! Of course, we look forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the beginning of a new year. Praise God for His faithfulness in seeing us to another final part of the year.

When we come to this time of year, have you ever noticed that we begin to make plans? We’re most definitely planning wonderful Thanksgiving celebrations with friends and family, then of course we plan for Christmastime by buying gifts, cooking, and fellowship with friends and family. We make those plans in anticipation of the observances that we will have over the holiday season. Sometimes those plans don’t work out exactly as we plan them, sometimes they do, but I pray that they are all wonderful celebrations. Aren’t you thankful, child of God, that God’s plans for us always work out (as long as we’re obedient to Him)?

Jeremiah quotes God in Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. “Are you aware that God knows exactly where you are and what you are doing right now? Contrary to popular thought, you are not bouncing haphazardly through time and space. The Creator who formed the universe and everything in it has a specific plan for every person on earth – and He has already set everything in place to provide you with a bright future. This is not just in heaven, but also here on earth. The Lord God has great purposes for you. There is Hope! Friend, your eternal future is secure – and because of that you can rejoice. However, God is also intimately interested in your day-to-day living. All of those details, joys, and troubles you yearn to share with another – He wants you to take to Him because only He can truly be trusted to guide your daily steps. So invite Him into your decisions. He knows how to get you where He wants to take you” (Stanley, Every Day in His Presence).

May we be encouraged and take comfort in God’s perfect plan for each of His children!

I pray that you are anticipating a wonderful November and December. Remember that we will be observing All Saints’ Day and Veterans Day Sunday with our annual Thanksgiving fellowship following service during the month of November and our Advent/Christmas celebration in worship through the month of December. Be sure to keep our worship in prayer and be sure to SHOW UP! God bless and keep you as we enter the final months of the year!

Daniel
Philippians 4:13

ALL SAINTS’ DAY
Join us for worship service on Sunday, November 1, as we honor those loved ones who’ve gone on to that Victory this year.

BUSINESS MEETING
The 2027 budget will be presented on Sunday, November 1 for review. Any changes to the budget will need to be addressed at the quarterly business meeting on Wednesday, November 11th. The 2027 budget will be presented for adoption on Sunday, November 22nd. It is very important that we have a quorum on these two dates. Please plan to attend the business meeting and worship service on the 22nd.

THANKSGIVING MEAL
On Sunday, November 15, there is a special service planned to celebrate Veterans and the Thanksgiving season. Be sure to invite any veterans you know, so we can honor their service to our country. Please provide the name of a veteran currently serving or has served you’d like to be included in the Veterans Day Sunday bulletin insert. Email Pastor Daniel or Sheila by Wednesday, November 11. A covered dish Thanksgiving meal will be held after the worship service. Bring your favorite dish or dessert to share. The meat will be provided by the church.

GOD CARES MEAL & GAMES
Come enjoy a time of fellowship, devotions, good food, fun and games on Tuesday, November 17 and December 15 at 11:30 am! There will be something to enjoy for all at this event. Bring your favorite dish to share. Pass the word along to your friends and neighbors.

THE MEANING OF ADVENT
Advent is the Christian season of spiritual preparation and anticipation for the arrival of Jesus Christ, celebrated during the four weeks leading up to Christmas. The word itself comes from the Latin "adventus," meaning "arrival" or "coming". It commemorates both Christ's first coming as a baby and anticipates his future second coming. During this time the tradition of lighting the advent candles is observed. The four candles on the Advent wreath represent the light of Christ entering the world. One candle is lit each Sunday, marking the progression of the four weeks of Advent. Each candle represents a theme for each week of Advent — hope, peace, joy, and love. Be sure and join us this Advent season beginning on Sunday, November 29, as we celebrate the coming of the Messiah!

Meetings
Tuesday - November 17 – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday - December 15– 6:30 p.m.

HOPE PACK FOR GOOD NEWS GLOBAL
As I write this, the first cool mornings of Autumn have arrived in my area. I am looking forward to the colorful changing leaves these Fall months, but not so much the clearing them from my yard. I do enjoy morning walks in the brisk air and evenings around the fire pit with friends and family listening to the crackle of the fire as it knocks off the chill. I look forward also to the season of thanks and of giving that the season brings. I am thinking of Hope Packs and how they encourage the Correctional Officers and remind Inmates that they are not forgotten. Some inmates who were with us last year are already anticipating their Hope Pack this year and speaking fondly of the treats, the Armor book with the puzzles and Gospel stories, and the highly anticipated pair of Socks! Concrete and steel are very cold in the winter, and those items are much sought after. I am grateful for a community that understands that sharing the Gospel comes in many packages, and sometimes God will use a pair of socks or piece of candy to begin the conversation that leads to Gospel shared and Christ trusted as Savior.

In Christ,
Joe Collins, Chaplain
*OLBC will collect a special offering on Sunday, November 22 to support the “Hope Pack” ministry. Our goal is $300.

CHRISTMAS CHILD THANK YOU!!
This was the best year for donations to fill the boxes. Everyone brought plenty of food, cleanup got taken care of, and we packed 60 boxes! The boxes are in the sanctuary for the packers to continue to pray over them before we have a dedication on November 8th and send them on their way. Thank you again.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER
The Wednesday evening service is NO LONGER tied to the notice of schools closing for inclement weather. The church office will send out an email IF there has been a decision to cancel Wednesday services or you can call the office or a deacon to verify the cancellation. For announcements concerning Sunday Morning Services, listen to B99 FM radio or watch TV Stations, WDBJ, Channel 7 or WSLS, Channel 10, for possible church cancellations.

THE GRACE NETWORK OF MHC
OLBC is just one of over one hundred congregations and other groups that partner with Grace Network to help families in crisis in Martinsville and Henry County. “Grace Network strives to give short-term assistance and to help find long-term solutions.” Each month we can help needy families by giving nonperishable food items, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and paper products. Check out the church bulletin to see what OLBC has pledged to give. You can be a part of this ongoing mission when you donate to this worthy cause. Visit their website at www.gracenetworkmhc.org to learn more.

Sharing the Love
Each week our folks are visiting friends throughout the community to let them know we love and care for them. Sometimes it is to sit and pray with someone suffering from injury or illness and unable to get out. At other times it's to get to know neighbors in the area and to introduce them to the ministries of Oak Level, if they do not have a church home of their own. In every instance it is another opportunity to go in the name of Jesus in order to be an ambassador of love. If you have never experienced the joy of visiting others or meeting new friends in this way, please know that you are more than welcome to join us. Visitation times are flexible according to your schedule, and there are plenty of folks that you already know who would be honored to go with you. Contact any deacon or the pastor for more information.

Newsletters
We publish our newsletter at Oak Level Baptist Church every two months. If you would like to have a copy, please feel free to download one of the newsletter PDF files.

For older PDF newsletters, please click to visit our Archive page.

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